Cultural Conceptualisations of Emotions in Intercultural Communication in English as a Lingua Franca in a Polish-Ukrainian Project

Abstract

This paper presents cultural conceptualisations of emotions on the basis of an intercultural Polish-Ukrainian anthology of texts. The texts are accompanied by intercultural tasks and are focused on Ukrainian and Polish cultures. The aim of this paper is to present cultural conceptualisations of emotions of pride and shame in the two cultures and to reflect on the initial assumptions of the Polish-Ukrainian project and its outcome. The authors assumed at the initial stages of the project that English as a lingua franca (ELF) could help them acquire a more critical attitude towards their own culture, leading to a raised awareness of cultural diversity and tolerance of the other culture, that is, become successful intercultural mediators. They became aware later that the use of English as a lingua franca was not sufficient to build up a community of English as a lingua franca users. It was concluded that in intercultural communication different cultural conceptualisations should be patiently clarified. In order to build up an intercultural community of non-native ELF users, both sides need to become aware of the underlying values of their partners’ cultures, involving their cultural conceptualisations of emotions. The self-conscious emotions of pride and shame belong to the most important cultural conceptualizations which should be analysed in the process of intercultural mediation.